"I have resolved never to start an unjust war but never to end a legitimate one except by defeating my enemies"
-Charles XII (as quoted by Voltaire)
"Certainly there is no ruler who would not be convinced of the folly of conquest by reading the life of Charles XII. For what ruler can say: I have more courage and virtues, a more determined spirit, better troops than Charles XII? So if with all these advantages, what hope is there for other princes who have the same ambition, but less talent and resources?"
-Francois-Marie Arouet, "Voltaire".
Rulers-
Carl X Gustaf:1654–1660 - Charles was the ruler of Sweden until his death. He married Hedwig Elenora, as a way to secure an ally in Denmark, where she was from. In 1655 Charles engaged in a war against Poland, which was known as the Nothern war, which lasted for five years.
CarlXI… son of Carl X: 1660–1697 - Carl was the only son of Charles. Carl had victory in the Battle of Halmstad during the Scanian War. He formed an alliance with France during this time, wanting to ensure that Sweden would not be abandoned during the upcoming war that he knew was going on. Carl XII: 1697–1718 - Carl assumed the crown at age fifteen as a result of the death of his father, Charles the XI. Carl was known as a skilled military leader and tactics expert. While a skilled politician as well, Carl had a hard time making peace. He is quoted as saying about The Great Northern War, “ I have resolved never to start and unjust war but never to end a legitimate one by except by defeating my enemies.” Carl XII was known specifically for bringing Sweden to Victory many times, even though The Great Northern War ended in Sweden’s defeat. Ulrika Eleonora: 1718–1720 - After her brothers death (King Charles, A.K.A. Carl) in 1718 Ulrika took his place on the throne. Queen Ulrika was indecisive, and left most of the political decisions to her husband, Fredrick Landgrave of Hesse- Kassel. She died of smallpox in 1741 after a childless marriage, thus having to give up most of the thrones power to the aristocracy. This age was known in Sweden as The Age of Liberty. House ofHesse-Kassel:1720–1751 - This is what is known as a “ reichsfreie principality” which is basically a monarchial sovereign state ruled over by a monarch. In this case that monarch was Fredrick I of Sweden. Fredrik I: 1751–1771 - He succeeded Ulrika’s throne, and during his rule as king of Sweden, Fredrik was uninterested in the affairs of state. Since his wife’s death the aristocracy had taken control of much of Sweden. As a king, Fredrik was not respected at all by his people. Although many accomplishments for Sweden were made under his reign, they were those accomplished by the aristocracy, not Fredrik himself.
Rival Countries-
Russia - During the 1690’s the Tsar of Russia Peter, formed an international alliance in order to challenge Swedish Supremacy in the Baltic regions. There was also a Swedish campaign against Russia during the 1740’s to gain back the eastern regions that were lost to the Swedish during The Great Northern War.
Timeline of Events
1655 - Sweden enters the Second Northern War.
1656 - Beginning of the Russo - Swedish War.
1658 - With the passing of the Treaty of Roskilde, ending the Second Northern War in favor of Sweden [over the dutch] the Dutch were forced to cede large amounts of territory and what amounted to unrestricted access to western trade to the Swedish. End of the Russo - Swedish War.
1660 - Peace of Olivia, ceasing aggressions between Poland and Sweden
1661 - Russia was embroiled in a conflict with Poland at this time, allowing Sweden to create a new Treaty with Russia, gaining it more territory. At this point, Sweden was about twice as large as it is today, and was the largest it will ever be.
1675 - The Scanian war (Spain, Holy Roman Empire, Denmark-Norway, United Provinces vs. France and Sweden) reached a stalemate.
1679 - The end of the Scanian War was negotiated - no real gains or losses for either side.
1680 - A diet decided that the king should be held to no constitution, and was to be regarded as sovereign lord.
1700 - Beginning of the Great Northern War, against Russia, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark (among others).
1704 - Poland switches sides after having its king overthroned (and replaced through the Treaty of Altranstadt), aiding the Swedish.
1709 - Poland once again returns to fighting against the Swedish after Charles XII's appointed monarch is overthrown.
1709 - Through Scorched Earth tactics, Russia is able to greatly weaken Sweden's army, and then crush it at the Battle of Poltava. Charles XII flees to the Ottoman Empire. This battle marked the emergence of Russia as a major world power.
1714 - Charles XII returned from his exile, but accomplished little before dying in combat in 1718. Many small territories begin to enter the war, trying to grab territory from the crushed Swedish.
1721 - The Great Northern War was concluded with the treaty of Nystad. Sweden lost all of its overseas holdings, leaving it no longer as a Major power, and Russia as the single largest power in Eastern Europe. Sweden remained somewhat of a regional power however.
"I have resolved never to start an unjust war but never to end a legitimate one except by defeating my enemies"-Charles XII (as quoted by Voltaire)
"Certainly there is no ruler who would not be convinced of the folly of conquest by reading the life of Charles XII. For what ruler can say: I have more courage and virtues, a more determined spirit, better troops than Charles XII? So if with all these advantages, what hope is there for other princes who have the same ambition, but less talent and resources?"
-Francois-Marie Arouet, "Voltaire".
Rulers-
Carl XI … son of Carl X: 1660–1697 - Carl was the only son of Charles. Carl had victory in the Battle of Halmstad during the Scanian War. He formed an alliance with France during this time, wanting to ensure that Sweden would not be abandoned during the upcoming war that he knew was going on.
Carl XII: 1697–1718 - Carl assumed the crown at age fifteen as a result of the death of his father, Charles the XI. Carl was known as a skilled military leader and tactics expert. While a skilled politician as well, Carl had a hard time making peace. He is quoted as saying about The Great Northern War, “ I have resolved never to start and unjust war but never to end a legitimate one by except by defeating my enemies.” Carl XII was known specifically for bringing Sweden to Victory many times, even though The Great Northern War ended in Sweden’s defeat.
Ulrika Eleonora: 1718–1720 - After her brothers death (King Charles, A.K.A. Carl) in 1718 Ulrika took his place on the throne. Queen Ulrika was indecisive, and left most of the political decisions to her husband, Fredrick Landgrave of Hesse- Kassel. She died of smallpox in 1741 after a childless marriage, thus having to give up most of the thrones power to the aristocracy. This age was known in Sweden as The Age of Liberty.
House of Hesse-Kassel: 1720–1751 - This is what is known as a “ reichsfreie principality” which is basically a monarchial sovereign state ruled over by a monarch. In this case that monarch was Fredrick I of Sweden.
Fredrik I: 1751–1771 - He succeeded Ulrika’s throne, and during his rule as king of Sweden, Fredrik was uninterested in the affairs of state. Since his wife’s death the aristocracy had taken control of much of Sweden. As a king, Fredrik was not respected at all by his people. Although many accomplishments for Sweden were made under his reign, they were those accomplished by the aristocracy, not Fredrik himself.
Rival Countries-
Russia - During the 1690’s the Tsar of Russia Peter, formed an international alliance in order to challenge Swedish Supremacy in the Baltic regions. There was also a Swedish campaign against Russia during the 1740’s to gain back the eastern regions that were lost to the Swedish during The Great Northern War.Timeline of Events
Maps-
Sweden, 1658Sweden, 1888